Flexible curtain closure device drive and containment mechanism

ABSTRACT

A roll-up closure device (FIG.  1 ) comprising a light weight flexible curtain ( 1 ), an extruded profiled edge ( 2 ), a synchronizing drive mechanism ( 3 ), a vertical retaining means ( 6 ) and a take up means ( 7 ). Said roll-up closure device eliminates the need for horizontal retaining mechanism positioned across the opening and the counter balance devices commonly associated with light weight flexible curtain roll-up closure devices as a means of preventing the curtain from being pulled out of the vertical retaining guides due to differential pressures that may exist in the closure device environment.

The applicants are the sole inventors. The applicants believe that the applicants are entitled to claim status as a “small entity” as defmed by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The applicants also believe that the applicants are entitled to claim “right of priority” as specified in 35 U.S.C 119 with reference to provisional application No. 60/468,167 filed May 06, 2003.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The fundamental benefits generally associated with lightweight flexible curtain roll-up closure devices are ease of maintenance and the resistance to damage due to impact or collision to both the closure device and the vehicle or persons involved.

It is common in light weight flexible curtain roll-up closure devices to use counter balance tensioning devices such as springs or weights, as a means of maintaining a vertical tension on the lightweight flexible curtain and controlling the opening and closing of the closure device. The use of such counter balance devices can render maintenance difficult, complicated and excessive.

It is also common in light weight flexible curtain roll-up closure devices to use a rigid horizontal retaining mechanism, such as a metal tube or bar, positioned across the opening as a means of preventing the lightweight flexible curtain from being pulled out of the vertical retaining guides due to differential pressures that commonly exist in the closure device environment. The use of such a horizontal retaining mechanisms can virtually negate the use of a lightweight flexible curtain closure device as a safe, impact or collision resistant closure device

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to closure devices. A closure device being any mechanism or device used for the purpose of closing an opening. More particularly, the invention relates to light weight flexible curtain roll-up closure devices designed to close an opening by moving a curtain vertically up or down over the opening from a fully open position to a fully closed position or any intermediate position that may partially close the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Said invention overcomes the limitations and problems commonly associated with the standard counter balance devices and horizontal retaining mechanisms used in light weight flexible curtain roll-up closure devices by incorporating an extruded profiled edge that is attached to the vertical edges of a light weight flexible curtain, the extruded profiled edges in conjunction with a vertical retaining means then combine to form a horizontal tensioning and retaining mechanism for the light weight flexible curtain. A synchronizing drive mechanism is then used to synchronize the closure device drive means to the closure device take-up means in order to control the light weight flexible curtains opening and closing as well as to maintain a vertical tension on the light weight flexible curtain. The application of these two methods combine to generate an efficient, 

1. A closure device (FIG. 1) comprising a light weight flexible curtain (1), an extruded profiled edge (2), a synchronizing drive mechanism (3), a vertical retaining means (6) and a take up means (7).
 2. A closure device as specified in claim 1 wherein said extruded profiled edge (2) is permanently attached to the vertical edges of said light weight flexible curtain (1) (FIG. 2) in such a manner as to allow said light weight flexible curtain (1) to be inserted into said vertical retaining means (6) (FIG. 3). Said extruded profiled edge (2) in conjunction with said vertical retaining means (6) combine to maintain a horizontal tension on said light weight flexible curtain (1) in such a manner as to retain said light weight flexible curtain (1) within said vertical retaining means (6) when said closure device is exposed to differential pressures during said closure device operation (FIG. 1).
 3. A closure device as specified in claim 1 or 2 wherein said synchronizing drive mechanism (3) consists of semi rigid rod (8) (FIG. 4) inserted inside said extruded profiled edge (2) in such a manner as to create a means by which to push said light weight flexible curtain (1) down into said vertical retaining means (6).
 4. A closure device as specified in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said synchronizing drive mechanism (3) consists of a driven roller mechanism (9) (FIG. 4A) that compresses said extruded profiled edge (2) between two counter rotating rollers (9A)(9B) (FIG. 4A) in such a manner as to drive said light weight flexible curtain (1) down into said vertical retaining means (6) (FIG. 5 & 6) during said closure device operation.
 5. A closure device as specified in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said synchronizing drive mechanism (3) consists of a tensioned continuous belt (10) (FIG. 5) positioned around said extruded profiled edge (2) where said extruded profiled edge (2) comes into contact with said take up means (7) in such a manner as to create a synchronized drive means between said driven roller mechanism (9) and said take up means (7) capable of varying the contact radius of said tensioned continuous belt (10) (FIG. 5) to ensure a constant contact with said extruded profiled edge (1) as the combined diameter of said extruded profiled edge (2) and said take up means (7) varies during said closure device operation.
 6. A closure device as specified in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said synchronizing drive mechanism (3) consists of a driven wheel mechanism (11) (FIG. 6) mounted on a tensioned radius arm (11A) (FIG. 6) positioned in such a manner as to maintain a constant contact between said driven wheel mechanism (11) (FIG. 6) and said extruded profiled edge (2) where said extruded profiled edge (2) comes into contact with said take up means (7) in such a manner as to create a synchronized drive means between said driven roller mechanism (9) and said take up means (7) as the combined diameter of said extruded profiled edge (2) and said take up means (7) varies during said closure device operation. 